CensusEasy
CITY · 2020 ACS

Carolina Beach

North Carolina · 6,564 residents · 2.452 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Part of the Wilmington metro area
Compare
The short version

Carolina Beach has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $68,773. Population has grown 40% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $359,800. With a median age of 50.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 50.8
US median: 38.8
More educated
43% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 63%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
6,564
+40%since 2000
from 4,701 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,677 / sq mi
+40%since 2000
from 1,917 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
50.8
+17%since 2000
from 43.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3K4K5K6K7K1990201020202024Carolina Beach
20247K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$68,773
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,662 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$42,878
+78%since 2000
from $24,128 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
46.9%
+20.9 ptssince 2009
from 26.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information9.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade8.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services7.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade6.3%
US avg: 10%
Public administration3.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Arts, entertainment, food2.3%
US avg: 2%
Professional, scientific, technical2.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$359,800
+63%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $146,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,157
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $700 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
73.9%
+8.2 ptssince 2000
from 65.7% in 2000
26.1% rent
Afford Score
5.2
+34%since 2000
from 3.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Carolina Beach on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.5%(4,536)
Black1.2%(56)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(36)
Asian0.4%(21)
Other0%
Diversity Score6%(281)
2020
White, non-Hispanic91.1%(5,982)
Black0.8%(53)
Hispanic / Latino2.8%(184)
Asian0.8%(50)
Other2%(132)
Diversity Score15.7%(1,027)
Diversity Score
16
+162%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
43.3%
+19.8 ptssince 2000
from 23.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.6%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 89.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
16.6%
+10.1 ptssince 2000
from 6.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.9 min
+26%since 2000
from 20.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.5%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 71.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.7%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.8%
−0.5 ptssince 2011
from 9.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.9%
−12.6 ptssince 2011
from 76.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
58.8%
−10.9 ptssince 2009
from 69.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
50.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
3.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
17.7%
−63.5 ptssince 2013
from 81.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Carolina Beach

High Springs
Pop 6,762
Lochmoor Waterway Estates
Pop 6,511
Freeport
Pop 7,543
Islamorada
Pop 6,955
Places similar to Carolina Beach
Head to head

Compare Carolina Beach to nearby cities

CAROLINA BEACH VS
Myrtle Grove
Income$113,463+65%
Home value$439,100+22%
Population12,637+84%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAROLINA BEACH VS
Wilmington
Income$66,738−3%
Home value$383,800+7%
Population126,809+1746%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAROLINA BEACH VS
Leland
Income$91,977+34%
Home value$398,900+11%
Population35,731+420%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAROLINA BEACH VS
Oak Island
Income$85,872+25%
Home value$456,500+27%
Population9,337+36%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Carolina Beach, North Carolina?

Carolina Beach, North Carolina has about 6,564 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Carolina Beach, North Carolina?

The typical household in Carolina Beach, North Carolina earns about $68,773 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Carolina Beach, North Carolina expensive?

In Carolina Beach, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $359,800, and the typical rent is about $1,157 a month.

How educated are people in Carolina Beach, North Carolina?

About 43.3% of adults age 25 and over in Carolina Beach, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Carolina Beach, North Carolina?

About 8.6% of people in Carolina Beach, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Carolina Beach, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Carolina Beach, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,933 residents, a change of about 81 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
North Carolina
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Carolina Beach with another place

DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →